No Film School
I read an article about how to become a good assistant director. I read this article because being a good director is important, but being a good assistant is just as important. The three key points the author expresses is being open to change, being trustworthy and working to get the right shot.
The author emphasizes these points because it is the AD’s job to always be there when they need them to be. The first AD’s job most of the time is to run the set, because the director will be working with the actors. So they have to be good leaders and can communicate and set up shots properly. They also are responsible for the script and planning which shots are going to be shot when.
They have to be flexible because things do not always go as planned. They have to constantly be looking for new ways to shoot a shot. They have to be able to improvise and problem solve in order to adjust to the many changes that happen on set. They also are in charge of people’s safety on set.
The author has a lot of strengths with this article because they express a lot of different situations a first AD would be in and how to effectively handle those. The only weakness is that it almost seems hypothetical, so it would be nice to have some personal experiences in it in order to relate to the author.
The author concludes the article with the assurance that being an AD or even just working on a film is a stressful and long process - but it is rewarding. You make bonds with the people and create amazing projects. The author asserts that the hard work pays off with the end game and relationships made.
I think this article was really helpful and offered useful information. Yet, I feel like it could’ve been narrowed down to just a couple objectives. I think it also could’ve gone in depth to distinguish the difference between a first AD and a UPM. It is kinda one sided and could’ve really benefited from some first person, real life situations and how they were handled in order to gain perspective.
The authors information does support the main points they assert. The evidence could’ve been more specific and personal instead of hypothetical. I would use this information as a filmmaker because I am very interested in directing and learning how to be an assistant is just as important as being the director. There is nothing I don’t directly understand.
This was a good article and I benefited from being reminded all the duties of being as assistant because it doesn’t seem like it would be a big job but it is and really influenced the film process.
https://nofilmschool.com/2018/05/heres-what-you-need-know-about-becoming-successful-assistant-director
